IR 05000269/2009301

NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000269-09-301, 05000270-09-301, and 05000287-09-301

ML090980027
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	04/07/2009
From:	Widmann M Division of Reactor Safety II
To:	Baxter D Duke Energy Corp
References
IR-09-301
Download: ML090980027 (10)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION II

ril 7, 2009

SUBJECT:

OCONEE NUCLEAR STATION - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000269/2009301, 05000270/2009301, AND 05000287/2009301

Dear Mr. Baxter:

During the period March 2 - 10, 2009 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Oconee Nuclear Station. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on March 13, 2009.

All applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. There were no post-examination comments. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 562-4550.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos.: 50-269, 50-270, and 50-287 License Nos.: DPR-38, DPR-47, and DPR-55

Enclosures:

1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report

_________________________ XG SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE OFFICE RII:DRS RII:DRS RII:DRS SIGNATURE /RA/ /RA/

NAME MBates MWidmann DATE 04/07/2009 04/07/2009 4/ /2009 4/ /2009 4/ /2009 4/ /2009 4/ /2009 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO

DPC 2

REGION II==

Docket No.: 50-269, 50-270, 50-287 License No.: DPR-38, DPR-47, DPR-55 Report No.: 05000269/2009301, 05000270/2009301, 05000287/2009301 Licensee: Duke Energy Corporation Facility: Oconee Nuclear Station Location: Seneca, SC 29672 Dates: Operating Test - March 2 - March 10, 2009 Written Examination - March 13, 2009 Examiners: M. Bates, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer J. Hopkins, Reactor Technology Instructor C. Kontz, Operations Engineer Approved by: Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000269/2008301, 05000270/2008301, 05000287/2008301, 03/02-10/2009 & 03/13/2009; Oconee Nuclear Station; Operator License Examinations.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) examiners conducted an initial examination in accordance with the guidelines in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10 CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45, as applicable.

Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period March 2 - 10, 2009. Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examination on March 13, 2009. All Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Ten applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered. Two applicants were issued a letter stating that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending their completion of the items for which a waiver was previously granted.

There were no post-examination comments.

No findings of significance were identified.

Enclosure 1

REPORT DETAILS 2. OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Initial Examinations a. Inspection Scope Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examination. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made per NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.

The NRC reviewed the licensees examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations in order to ensure compliance with 10 CFR §55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests.

The NRC examiners evaluated six Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period March 2 - 10, 2009.

Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examination on March 13, 2009. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Oconee Nuclear Station, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses.

b. Findings No findings of significance were identified. The NRC determined, using NUREG-1021, that the licensees examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.

Ten applicants passed both the operating test and written examination and were issued licenses. Two applicants were issued a letter stating that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending their completion of the items for which a waiver was previously granted.

Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training.

The licensee did not submit any post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examination and answer key, with all changes incorporated, may be accessed in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Number ML090780607 and ML090780656).

Enclosure 1

4OA6 Meetings Exit Meeting Summary On March 11, 2009 the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. Preston Gillespie, Station Manager, and members of the Oconee Nuclear Station staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel P. Gillespie, Station Manager P. Stovall, Manager Operations Training R. Glover, General Manager Nuclear Projects J. Steely, Manager Operations Training J. Collins, Operations Shift Manager R. Robinson, Operations Shift Manager F. Baldwin, Operations Shift Manager G. Washburn, Initial Training Supervisor J. Weast, Regulatory Compliance R. Meixell, Regulatory Compliance O. Mercado, Training Instructor NRC personnel G. Hutto, Senior Resident Inspector Enclosure 1

SIMULATION FACILITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Oconee Nuclear Station Facility Docket Nos.: 05000269/05000270/05000287 Operating Tests Administered on: March 2 - March 10, 2009 This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit or inspection findings and, without further verification and review in accordance with Inspection Procedure 71111.11 are not indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.46. No licensee action is required in response to these observations.

No simulator fidelity or configuration items were identified.

Enclosure 2